Page 41 of Never Kiss a Scot
“You don’t have to leave the inn,” Ashton said. “You can stay here with…” Ashton seemed to choke on the next words. “Your husband.”
“We should go. I believe Brock has much at the castle to tend to, and I am looking forward to helping him.”
Ashton nodded. “I am proud of you, Jo. You are making your own way in the world. I just wish you could have done it in a less…dramatic fashion.”
“Drama would seem to run in our veins, wouldn’t you say? Haven’t you forgotten that your own wife showed up on your doorstep in the middle of a rainstorm because you’d bankrupted her? I daresay a race to Gretna Green was far less dramatic.”
“You are right.” He kissed her forehead and smiled. “Let me chase down Kincade and tell him all is well.”
Joanna watched her brother leave and bit her lip, holding back the tears that stung at her eyes. All would be well; she had to believe that. She packed the rest of her belongings in her saddlebag and waited for Brock to return. When he did, he raked a hand through his hair, watching her carefully.
“You and Lennox sort things out?” he asked.
“Yes, I believe so.”
“But you still wish to leave?” She didn’t miss the apparent disappointment on his face. Did he think she didn’t want to spend another night with him?
“I’m nervous about your home, and my brothers always taught me to face my fears. I think we should go straight to Castle Kincade.”
“You fear my home?” The disappointment in his eyes deepened into concern.
“No!” She rushed over to him but stopped just inches away. She wanted to hold him, to feel his heartbeat against her ear, but how could she? They were still so new to each other in so many ways that she wasn’t sure what else to do. She reached up to his face, gently touching his bruised jaw. It was already swelling.
“I don’t fear your home. It’s just unknown to me.” She traced her fingers over his lips, and he caught her wrist, holding her fingers to his mouth. He kissed the pads of her fingers, and she shivered as a slow, delicious wave of arousal moved through her.
“I don’t want you to fear anything.” Brock curled an arm around her waist, pulling her flush against him. She wanted him again, but she was a little afraid. She was still sore from the first time.
“I know. You are wonderful. Did you know that?” She smiled up at him and stood on tiptoes to kiss him. She could feel his lips curve against hers, and for some reason she was deliriously happy. Their closeness was like a drug, lulling her into a sweet euphoria that she didn’t want to end. He suddenly lifted her up in his arms and carried her to the bed. He sat down on it and cradled her in his lap. She loved feeling like this, warm and safe in his arms while he kissed her. He reclaimed her lips, crushing her to him. She returned his kisses with a hunger that belied her outward calm. Perhaps she wasn’t too sore to—
“We should go, lass. If I hold you much longer like this, I will not be able to stop myself from claiming you again, and I know you must be hurting.” He nuzzled her neck, and she clutched his shoulders, sighing.
“I suppose. Let’s go and find our coach.”
He stood and set her down gently on her feet. They gathered their belongings and walked back down to the common room of the inn. Ashton and his friends were drinking at one of the tables, and a barmaid was bringing them plates of food.
“Care to have lunch with us before you go?” Ashton asked as they paused by the table.
Brock looked to Joanna uncertainly. “I will be happy to dine with them if you wish to.”
Joanna decided she would, as she would not see Ashton again for at least a month. “Yes, if you don’t mind, I would like that.”
“Very well. I’ll take our bags to the coach and tell the driver we will depart after lunch.”
The men stood as Joanna joined them. Charles winked as she looked at her brother and his friends. “Married at last, are we? Well, it suits you, Jo.” Cedric elbowed Charles in the ribs, and he grunted before muttering an apology.
“Lady Kincade, lovely for you to join us,” Godric, the Duke of Essex, bowed and she blushed. In just two days she’d gone from Ashton’s little sister toLadyKincade. She had to admit, she rather liked the sound of that, especially if such a title made it easier to keep men like these in line.
Ashton pulled out a chair for her, and the other men waited for her to sit before they resumed their seats. Ashton gave her his plate, smiling in a way that reminded her so much of their childhood. When Brock returned, they shared a meal, the mood much more relaxed.
An hour later, she hugged Ashton again and with a falsely cheery smile waved goodbye and climbed into the coach with Brock. It stung to leave her brother behind, as well as her past. There was a tightness in her chest that only seemed to ease when she cuddled next to Brock. She sat beside him, leaning against his side, and he didn’t seem to mind.
She was happy to be with him, she didn’t doubt that, but it was sad to know that she was never truly going to go home to Lennox House again. She’d visit from time to time, but only visit. There was something undeniably sad to know that a person would never be a child in their childhood home again, that they’d left that part of their life behind. She reminded herself that she had a new home now, one she would fill with merriment and love with Brock.
16
Joanna and Brock rode in silence for a long while before she spoke.
“What is Castle Kincade like?”
